Random Genealogy pointed me to the TNG Network - GENDEX Database project:

I was always interested in the GENDEX Database project. Imagine all of the genealogy/family tree websites having a central index of names that you could search against, and then could easily locate the originating website. I’ve never been comfortable with how similar projects are handled by certain commercial websites - more like something was missing rather than comfortable, but anyways, the GENDEX Database was going to change all that.

…It’s built on The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding software, TNG for short, and allows TNG sites (that want to participate) to feed select genealogy data into a central database, which can then be easily searched. Clicking on the results takes you to the originating TNG website.

There are currently 230 databases and almost 4 million names in the TNG Network database. You can find more information about the GENDEX TNG Network site from Eastman’s Online Genealogy.

I did a few searches and found some strong possibilities worth investigating. The joy of this system is that it connects you with other website genealogy researchers, so you can match your information with their information.

To register your family history site, you will need a GENDEX file on your site, a text file similar to a GEDCOM file that provides information on names and history of your family tree with links to the information on your site. Information from the GENDEX file is stored in the TNG Network database. It helps to have the The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding installed and running on your family history site or blog.